As the snow flies

Even though my kids assure me we need considerably more snow, we sure have had a few memorable snows. When I noted the Blizzard Warning on Saturday the delta between kids and Mom grew markedly. I kept thinking maybe someone had spiked the weather guys coffee and the boys are planning the day with sledding, snowmobiling and the list goes on and on. As of 10:30am on Saturday we were having pouring rain in our 36 degree day. The scene was a little different after lunch. Snow came, wind came and wind won and the heat from earlier was a washed out memory. We woke to blowing snow (but it blew so hard it looks like we sure didn't get much) and bone-chilling temperatures.

Let the motor vehicles roar earl day as first the snowmobile came to life and the 4 wheeler was right in the tow. About 30 minutes after Trenton took off for his friends the first SOS called was taken. Dalton and Corey took off and located him quickly caught in a mess of cattails. The machine was dislodged and all were home after a bit. Chili was on the menu for dinner and it is rather quiet here at this moment. Here are a few photos to share of our snow adventures. School has been called for the kids tomorrow as the water main issues with all the cold.

Suggestion: Hot cocoa!!

Mama Tundra

Candy!!!

Check out the fab candy over at Stargroves' web blog. Yummy. Be certain to sign up to win.

stargrovesblog.blogspot.com/

Up a tree

Ever felt somedays like you are just up a tree without a rope? Well......I am just thinking that is exactly how this cat felt with two yipping dogs waiting for her decent. (Such a shame that the dogs didn't realize that that cat was just sitting there enjoying the show!) As far as the last week, I am not sure if I was more the cat taking in the show or the dogs waiting for the cat.

Last week, Dalton and Trenton were out working in the shed on the dirt bike. Seems something needed a little welding work, so Dalton took on the project. Please keep in mind these boys come from lineage on both sides of the family of accomplished welders. So around 10pm Dalton is sitting on the sofa and complaining about his left eye being sore. He shared he had been welding and I asked if he had his welding helmet on. Oh yes, we have a number of welding helmets. Well..... the next day as I am nearing work, my phone goes off in my purse. Ok, finding a cell phone in my purse could be an article in and of itself. Anyhow, Dalton shares that he has a burning sensation in his eyes and they don't want to open. As with any teenager, you need to fix this Mom and now is best. Once the doctor's office opened I called and the nurse said she wanted to chat with doc on the best plan. So we were directed to an eye specialist and headed out to an early afternoon appointment on probably the brighest sunny day ever. Soon a nurse calls us back to the exam room and proceeds to ask some questions. Quickly you could see that she and Dalton were oil and water. The crowning moment was when she asked what he was welding. Thank goodness he did not say wood loudly, so I intercepted. Good news. No permenant damage to his retinas, thank you Lord Jesus. Three bottles of drops and a prescription later we were heading home.

Saturday was a gorgeous day and the guys decided to try out the bikes with the new repairs. I was taking in a news show that must have his a lull only to be woken by Dalton. "Hey, Mom, where is the medical card thing you use to go to the doctor." Does Stephen King have this line in one of his novels and few statements can get your pulse racing faster. Like a rabbit, I hopped up to see what the deal included. Oh heavens, Trenton had been doing a stunt and had rolled the dirt bike. Of course a helmet was worn, but that sure didn't help his arms, hips, legs and hands. I loaded up "Mr Road Rash" into the family buggy and we were off to the urgent care. My position at work is a health aid, but we needed the big guns to check this out. We hit the place at a really good time and it took longer to check in than to see the doctor. Trenton did break his pinky finger but thankfully that was all. We do parent-to-son bonding during our lengthy unwrapping and re-wrapping sessions. His right arm and hip are rather skin-free at this time, but oh the young heal so quickly.

So if you see me at the supermarket shopping in the haircolor aisle, please do not give it a second thought. Just another day of looking up the tree.

Becky T

Growing up so quickly

The most talented skateboarder in rural Alburnett turned 17 this past week. Dalton is growing up and will all too soon be out in the world. Here is the card I made for his birthday with a dragon just "tearing it up".

Images are from Dustin Pike and Verve. Paper, twine and brads are mainly SU and the argyle is from Basic Gray.

Best wishes for a terrific year to my handsome brown-eyed guy!

Summer

Summer is so quickly slipping by and the schools will be gearing up in a couple of weeks for the return of the kids. The fellows are starting to grow bored and the school supplies are in house. The wet, warm weather has packs of mosquitos chasing us from here to there. Here are a few shots from this summer. One thing is for sure, they are growing up fast. Enjoy!

Becky

Candy

www.kelliewinnell.com

So many yummy things in her candy pile.

Color Throwdown 100th Challenge

In celebration of their 100th color throw down challenge and just about every stamp company has come to the party! Go here to enjoy all the submissions from some extremely talented artists..... http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-throwdown-100_07.html . And the best part is that they've all contributed prizes to be given away!

This is my first challenge and I can't say my work is amazing, but it was an important card. The colors for the throw down today are Regal Rose, Certain Celery, Real Red and Baja Breeze. Don't worry if you don't have the exact colors to play along, just use something similar.

My paper is SU with their Pink Passion with some off white stamped cardstock with SU inks. The ribbon is also SU in Celery. The butterflies are from Martha Stewart in red and blue covered with Stickles to add some sparkles and also MS with the punch in the corner. The images are from SU Spring Solitude and as Close as a Memory. The flower is some blue cardstock made into a posie supplemented with a couple of pink petals from Portafolia with copics to add depth and brushed with Stickles. The brad is from Making Memories.

Sadly this card was for a childhood playmate that suffered from a brain aneurysm and passed quickly late last week. She loved her family and flowers. I hope this brings a smile to the family in a difficult time.

By the way..... goodness it sure likes to rain this summer!

Becky T

I am running

Check out Trenton during the Jr High track meet at Center Point on Saturday, May 1. He was running, tossing and having lots of fun. He did place second in the 100 meter dash. Way to go, Trenton!

The wind was blowing and with it being the first day in the sun, even 70 spf wasn't enough to keep a burn away. What a great way to get one!!

Becky

A snapshot in time

My apologies for being remiss as of late. All seems to be swirling so quickly right now and sitting down to type a note clearly has not happened. Here are a few snapshots in time from the Thomas Clan:

Notice the new photo of Dalton in his wheels. Do you remember when you could smile like that just sitting in your car with a few friends listening to the radio? Yes sir, no engine running, just the radio. Dalton has an 85 Camry and looks rather innocent in wheels produced almost a decade before he was born. He continues to drive his Mother nuts and we have a good time together.

Did you see Trenton and his special "man bag"? He thought he was so clever putting the little pooch in a bag as if he was a society person. Not!! He is fighting a nasty virus right now with a super sore throat and fever. Hope he is better soon and doesn't share with the rest of us.

A yearly event is wind damage and we had ours last Tuesday evening. Dad and I were chatting on the phone as they had bad weather much of the day and we mentioned with this much rain the evergreens sometimes tip over. Well we were right on track. Trenton and I headed to the basement after the sirens went off and your hair stood up on the back of your neck for a couple of seconds. When we ventured out we noticed a bit of missing siding, some tin bent back on one of the sheds and our pine tree was hugging the maple. Personally I think we should have laws against such things but we were glad it didn't fall on the house. The guys cleaned up the tree on Saturday while I was at work. Looks so different after having the large blue spruce there the entire 16 years we lived here. I am really looking for a full time job as the part time just isn't covering enough to keep it up. My name is in on a few things and hopefully something right will come along soon. Love what I do right now, but need to keep a roof over our heads as well.

Just wanted to share a little violet that is on the West side of the house. Isn't it so lovely? Spring is the best!!

Becky

Admiration

Occasionally you stop and realize the great things around you. We had another snow day last week (groan) and I marvel at the way the kids just kick up their heels for these special capsules of time. The neighborhood guys all came over to snowboard, snowmobile, sled and goof around burying each other in the "sand". Intermittently, breaking to come in and enjoy a monster bar with glass of milk to warm up and then back out to play. Our dog, Mia, just loves to be in the thick of it running and playing in the snow. Shasta, our little pooch, and I enjoyed the show from the warmth of the house with a nice warm cup of tea. We slid out a couple of times to catch some of the action with the camera. Notice how cold my funny little garden dude looks with the white background.

Way to make lemonade, men!!

Becky

My oh my - a little sun would be divine

How is it that you get past the middle of January and the snow is just not so cool anymore? And I guess I would add on to that ice, blowing snow and below zero chill factor...... And then about two weeks since the sun has shined..... Yikes! I am ready for a wonderful 30 degree day with a full plate of sunshine!!!

Otherwise, we are all fine.

Becky

Happy Birthday, Mia

Too often we forget to give props to our supporting cast. We need to fix that on our end at this time. Mia is celebrating turning three-years-old today! Mia is an austrian shepard and is as sweet as they come. Her red shiny coat is soft and hugable and she has the most adorable freckes on her snout. She loves to play be it chasing the boys on their motor toys or running along side them during their snowboard adventures in our backyard. She knows how to use her sweet brown eyes to their full advantage in case you forget a snack or are just sitting there not petting her.

Happy Birthday, Mia. Here are a few cute shots from her play adventures over the last year.

Becky, Dalton and Trenton all LOVE Mia!